Robby Anderson was one of the first potential free agent targets we profiled for the Panthers this year. It looked like an obvious fit for a number of reasons, including his history playing for head coach Matt Rhule and the team’s need for another speed threat at wide receiver.
It seems that Anderson felt the same way. Speaking with the media in another Zoom conference call on Friday, Anderson said that he always liked Carolina’s colors and admitted he wanted to play for Rhule. However, Anderson says signing quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was the icing on the cake for his decision.
Anderson also has history with Bridgewater. While they weren’t on the field together, both were on the Jets’ roster in 2018 – at least until Bridgewater was traded to the Saints just before the season began.
The dynamic between these two will be critical for the success of the Panthers’ passing attack.
While Bridgewater is never going to be known as a gunslinger like Brett Favre or Patrick Mahomes, he will occasionally hit targets 20 or more yards down the field. We saw it several times last season when he smoked the Buccaneers for four touchdowns and 314 yards in Week 5.
Anderson is one of the game’s premiere deep threats, so if Bridgewater can get the long ball going with him it can open up the field for the other weapons that Marty Hurney has stockpiled.
On that front, Anderson thinks he will be a strong fit. He believes he’s a perfect complement for Christian McCaffrey, whose jersey he wore during the video conference. Anderson called McCaffrey the best back in the NFL.
There’s a good chance the defense is going to be a work in progress, but if the Panthers improve their pass protection the 2020 offense has a chance to be something special.
